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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
communications@nof.org
Recent
Findings on Calcium and Vitamin D
February 15, 2006 --
NOF statement in response to the Women’s
Health Initiative (WHI) findings
outlined in the *New England Journal of
Medicine article, “Calcium plus Vitamin
D Supplementation and the Risk of
Fractures:"
The
recently reported WHI findings related
to calcium and vitamin D raise key
points about maintaining optimal bone
health. NOF reminds all women that while
calcium and vitamin D play an important
role in maintaining bone health, they
are not the only steps to take.
NOF
continues to recommend Five Steps to
Bone Health:
-
Get
your daily recommended amounts of
calcium and vitamin D
-
Engage in regular weight-bearing
exercise
-
Avoid
smoking and excessive alcohol
-
Talk
to your healthcare professional about
bone health, including
risk factors and family history
-
Have
a bone density test and take
medication when appropriate
NOF has
no plans to revise its
calcium and vitamin D guidelines.
Dr.
Ethel Siris, president of the National
Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) applauds
the WHI for focusing on this important subject.
“NOF scientists continue to believe that
all women require adequate amounts of
calcium and vitamin D throughout their
lives,” says Dr. Siris. “Adequate daily
intake of calcium for women should be
between 1000-1300 mg and, currently, the
recommended daily intake for vitamin D
is 400-800 IU.” Women can get the
recommended daily intake of calcium and
vitamin D through diet, supplements or a
combination of both. Dr. Siris advises,
“speak to your healthcare professional
about the best approach for you, as an
individual, and actions to take to
adhere to those requirements.”
About NOF:
Established in 1984, the National
Osteoporosis Foundation is the nation’s
leading voluntary health organization
solely dedicated to osteoporosis and
bone health. Our mission is to prevent
osteoporosis, to promote lifelong bone
health, to help improve the lives of
those affected by osteoporosis and
related fractures, and to find a cure.
*N Engl J Med. 2006
Feb 16:354(7):669-83.
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